LAMENTATION OVER DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE.

Public Primary and Secondary schools in Anambra State are facing some challenges due to inadequate infrastructure and erosion threat in the state.

Our reporter observed that over the years, the state of public Primary and Secondary schools has been a serious concern to both the parents and stakeholders in education in the country. The infrastructural decay, lack of learning materials and training and inadequate motivation of teachers have also contributed significantly to the decline of education in the country.

This perhaps, may be the reason some parents prefer to send their children to private schools. Radio Nigeria visited Udodinma Primary School, Okpuno in Awka South Local government area of Anambra State, where it observed that one of the classroom blocks was not conducive for learning, as its roof needed a renovation, while the classes of the block were demarcated with blackboards.

Some of the pupils of the school were seen outside learning under a tree. The Headmistress of the School, Mrs. Ngozi Okeke, said the toilet facilities in the school were not enough due to the number of the pupils in the school. One of the pupils, Miss Amarachi Ezeanyika identified inadequate number of chairs, tables and desks as some of the challenges facing the school with about fifty pupils in one class.

The story is the same at Wilfred Okafor Udeozo Memorial Primary School, Amudo, Awka.  At Girls’ Secondary School, Awka, Radio Nigeria observed that though the school compound had perimeter fence, some parts had collapsed and needed an urgent attention.  In an interview, the Principal of the School, Mrs. Wini Ibezim applauded the efforts of the state government in providing some facilities in the school, but believed that the school needed government intervention as the erosion was threatening to wash away the school premises.

One of the students of the school, Miss Faith Ogugua pointed out that inadequate hostels were one of the problems facing the school. The respondents appealed to public spirited individuals, philanthropists and the Federal, State and Local governments to give adequate attention to public schools in order to make them attractive and popular as it was in the past.

KEVIN EKEDIEGWU